STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION OF FOSTER PARENTS AND RELATIVE CAREGIVERS AND APPROVAL OF POTENTIAL ADOPTIVE RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES CHILD WELFARE Effective Dec. 28, 2011
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STANDARDS FORCERTIFICATION OF FOSTER PARENTS AND RELATIVE CAREGIVERS AND APPROVAL OF POTENTIAL ADOPTIVE RESOURCES
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
CHILD WELFARE
Effective Dec. 28, 2011
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
ORS 418.648 CF 1019A Enacted on January 1, 2006
Be treated with dignity, respect and trust as a member of a team, including respect for the family values and routines of the foster parent.
Be included as a valued member of a team that provides care and planning for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.
Receive support services, as resources permit, from the Department of Human Services that are designed to assist in the care of the foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.
Be informed of any condition that relates solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent that may jeopardize the health or safety of the foster parent or other members of the home or alter the manner in which foster care should be provided to the foster child. The information shall include complete access to written reports, psychological evaluations and diagnoses that relate solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent provided that confi dential information given to a foster parent must be kept confi dential by the foster parent, except as necessary to promote or to protect the health and welfare of the foster child and the community.
Have input into a permanency plan for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.
Receive assistance from the department in dealing with family loss and separation when the foster child leaves the home of the foster parent.
Be informed of all policies and procedures of the department that relate to the role of the foster parent.
Be informed of how to receive services and to have access to department personnel or service providers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Initiate an inactive referral status for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 12 months, to allow a foster parent relief from caring for foster children.
Not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.
Be notifi ed of the foster parent’s right to limited participation in proceedings in the juvenile court and provided with an explanation of that right.
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FOSTER PARENTBILL OF RIGHTS
A foster parent has the right to:
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Standards for Certification of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources ................................................................3
Purpose of Certification Standards ........................................................................................4
Authorization .........................................................................................................................4
Definitions .............................................................................................................................5
Personal Qualifications of Applicants and Certified Families ..............................................9
Initial Application Process...................................................................................................11
Standards Regarding the Home Environment .....................................................................13
(1) General Conditions..................................................................................................13
(2) Sanitation and Health. .............................................................................................14
(3) Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety. .........................................................................15
(4) Travel and Transportation Safety. ...........................................................................16
Requirements Regarding the Number of Children and Young Adults in the Home ..........17
Requirements for the Care of Children and Young Adults .................................................18
Requirements Regarding the Education of a Child or Young Adult...................................18
Requirements Regarding the Discipline of a Child or Young Adult ..................................20
Requirements Regarding the Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Care of a Child or Young Adult ........................................................................................................................22
Responsibilities and Notification Requirements for Selection and Use of Respite Care Providers and Babysitters...................................................................24
(1) Respite Providers.....................................................................................................24
(2) Babysitters. ..............................................................................................................25
(3) General Provisions for Respite Care and Babysitting.............................................25
Confidentiality .....................................................................................................................26
Education and Training for Applicants and Certified Families ..........................................27
Other Required Notifications...............................................................................................28
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Requirements Regarding Mandatory Reporting..................................................................29
Requirements Regarding Visits in the Certified Family's Home ........................................29
Requirements Regarding Maintaining the Certificate of Approval ....................................29
Requirements Regarding Inactive Referral Status...............................................................30
Requirements Regarding Termination of a Certificate of Approval ...................................31
Requirements Regarding Denial and Revocation of a Certificate of Approval ..................32
Requirements Regarding Contested Case Hearings ............................................................33
Responsibilities for Certification and Supervision of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources ..............35
Purpose.................................................................................................................................36
Definitions............................................................................................................................36
Responsibilities for Assessment and Certification ..............................................................38
Responsibility to Determine the Maximum Number of Children or Young Adults in a Certified Family Home .........................................................................46
Responsibilities for Issuing a Certificate of Approval ........................................................48
Respite Care Providers and Babysitters...............................................................................49
Responsibilities to Monitor Certification Compliance........................................................50
Responsibilities When Developing a Placement Support Plan ...........................................51
Responsibilities Regarding Two-Year Renewal of the Certificate of Approval.................54
Responsibilities Regarding Voluntary Termination of an Application or an Existing Certificate of Approval .....................................................................................56
Responsibilities Regarding Recertification of a Previously Certified Home......................57
Responsibilities Regarding Inactive Referral Status ...........................................................60
Responsibilities Regarding Denial or Revocation of a Certificate of Approval .................62
Index ......................................................................................................................................64
Standards for Certification of Foster Parents and
Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources
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413-200-0301 Purpose of Certification Standards (1) The purpose of these rules (OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396) is to describe the
criteria for approval as:
(a) A certified family; or
(b) A potential adoptive resource. (2) These rules apply to any individual who:
(a) Has applied to become a certified family or potential adoptive resource;
(b) Is currently a certified family; or
(c) Has applied to have the Certificate of Approval renewed. (3) In these rules, unless otherwise indicated, a child or young adult refers to a child or
young adult in the care or custody of the Department. 413-200-0305 Authorization (1) Title IV-E, section 471 (a)(10) of the Social Security Act, requires the State of Oregon
to establish a state authority responsible for establishing and maintaining standards for foster family homes and child care institutions.
(2) ORS 418.005 to 418.648 give the Department the authority and responsibility to
approve homes for children and young adults in the care or custody of the Department. ORS 418.005 to 418.648 further authorize the Department to develop rules to approve these homes.
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413-200-0306 Definitions The following definitions apply to these rules (OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396): (1) "Adoptive resource" means an individual or individuals selected by the Department,
another public child welfare agency, or a licensed adoption agency as the adoptive family for a child where no administrative review was requested within the timeframe allowed for such a request, or if a review was requested, the selection has been sustained by that review and the review is complete.
(2) "Applicant" means an individual or individuals who apply:
(a) To become or remain a certified family; or
(b) For approval as a potential adoptive resource. (3) "Babysitting" means the provision of temporary, occasional care for a child or young
adult that is:
(a) Ten consecutive hours or less; and
(b) Not overnight care. (4) "CANS screening" means Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths screening, a
process of gathering information on the needs and strengths of a child or young adult used for one or more of the following purposes:
(a) Identifying case planning, service planning, and supervision needs of the child
or young adult in substitute care with a certified family;
(b) Determining the level of care payment while in substitute care with a certified family; and
(c) Determining the level of care payment included in an adoption assistance
agreement or guardianship assistance agreement. (5) "Carbon monoxide alarm" means a device that:
(a) Detects carbon monoxide; and
(b) Produces a distinctive audible alert when carbon monoxide is detected.
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(6) "Certificate of Approval" means a document that the Department issues to approve the operation of a certified relative caregiver home or foster home.
(7) "Certified family" means an individual or individuals who hold a Certificate of
Approval from the Department to operate a home to provide care, in the home in which they reside, to a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(8) "Certifier" means a Child Welfare employee who:
(a) Conducts assessments of applicants interested in providing relative or foster care to a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department or assessments of a potential adoptive resource;
(b) Determines whether or not to recommend approval of the operation of a relative
caregiver or foster home or approval of a potential adoptive resource; and
(c) Monitors the compliance of a relative caregiver or foster care home with Child Welfare certification rules.
(9) "Child" means an individual under 18 years of age. (10) "Child-Specific Certificate of Approval" means a document authorizing an individual
or individuals to operate a home to provide care for a specific child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(11) "Co-habitating" means the act of two adults, unmarried to each other, living together
in an intimate relationship as if married. (12) "Criminal records check" means the process for obtaining and reviewing an
individual's criminal offender information and may include a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases.
(13) "Denial" means the refusal of the Department to issue or renew a Certificate of
Approval to operate a relative caregiver home or foster home to provide care for a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(14) "Department" means the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare. (15) "Discipline" means a training process a certified family uses to help a child or
young adult develop the self control and self direction necessary to assume responsibilities, make daily living decisions, and learn to conform to accepted levels of social behavior.
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(16) "Electronic monitoring" means the use of video monitoring or listening devices to monitor or record the behavior of a child or young adult. "Electronic monitoring" does not include:
(a) Door monitors;
(b) Window alarms;
(c) Motion detectors;
(d) Audio or video baby monitors used for a child five years and under; or
(e) Monitors approved by a medical provider for medical purposes.
(17) "Enhanced supervision" means the additional support, direction, observation, and
guidance needed to promote and ensure the safety and well-being of a child or young adult when the child or young adult qualifies for a level of care payment.
(18) "Foster parent" means an individual who operates a home that has been approved by
the Department to provide care for an unrelated child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(19) "Inactive Referral Status" means a period of time, not to exceed 12 months, during
which neither the Department nor any other agency will place an additional child or young adult with a certified family.
(20) "Level of care payment" means the payment provided to an approved or certified
family, a guardian, a pre-adoptive family, or an adoptive family based on the need for enhanced supervision of the child or young adult as determined by applying the CANS algorithm to the results of the CANS screening.
(21) "Member of the household" means any adult or child living in the home, including
any caregiving employees and volunteers who may reside in the home. (22) "Personal care services plan" means a written plan to provide personal care services
for the child or young adult documenting:
(a) The determination that the individual is a qualified provider;
(b) The frequency or intensity of each personal care service to be provided; and
(c) The date personal care services begin.
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(23) "Physical restraint" means the act of restricting the voluntary movement of a child or young adult as an emergency measure in order to manage and protect the child, young adult, or others from injury when no alternate actions are sufficient to manage the behavior of the child or young adult. "Physical restraint" does not include temporarily holding a child or young adult to assist him or her or assure his or her safety, such as preventing a child from running onto a busy street.
(24) "Psychotropic medication" means medication, the prescribed intent of which is to
affect or alter thought processes, mood, or behavior, including but not limited to antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anxiolytic medication and behavior medications. The classification of a medication depends upon its stated intended effect when prescribed because it may have many different effects.
(25) "Punishment" means the intentional infliction of emotional or physical pain
or suffering. (26) "Relative caregiver" means an individual who operates a home that has been approved
by the Department to provide care for a related child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(27) "Respite care" means a formal planned arrangement to relieve a certified family's
responsibilities by an individual temporarily assuming responsibility for the care and supervision of the child or young adult in the home of the respite provider or certified family. "Respite care" must be less than 14 consecutive days.
(28) "Revocation" means an administrative act by the Department that rescinds an existing
Certificate of Approval. (29) "Surrogate" means an individual who has been appointed to safeguard a child's rights
in the special education decision-making process. The individual may be appointed pursuant to applicable Department of Education administrative rules and statutes or by the juvenile court.
(30) "Young adult" means an individual aged 18 through 20 years.
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413-200-0308 Personal Qualifications of Applicants and Certified Families (1) An applicant has the burden of proving that he or she possesses the required
qualifications to be approved as a certified family or as a potential adoptive resource. (2) To provide care for a child or young adult, an applicant must be at least 21 years of
age unless:
(a) Otherwise specified in Child Welfare Policy I-E.2.1, "Placement of Indian Children", OAR 413-070-0100 to 413-070-0260; or
(b) A Child Welfare program manager or designee has approved an applicant
between the ages of 18 through 20 years to become a relative caregiver. (3) An applicant must, as determined by the Department pursuant to OAR 413-200-0274:
(a) Possess the ability to exercise sound judgment and demonstrate responsible, stable, emotionally mature behavior;
(b) Possess the ability to manage the applicant's home and personal life;
(c) Maintain conditions in the home that provide safety, health, and well-being for
the child or young adult;
(d) Have supportive relationships with adults and children living in the household and with others in the community;
(e) Have a lifestyle and personal habits free of criminal activity, and abuse or
misuse of alcohol or drugs;
(f) Have adequate financial resources to support the household independent of the monthly family foster care payments;
(g) Be willing to participate in the home study process that includes a
comprehensive inquiry into the applicant's personal and family history and family dynamics;
(h) Have the physical and mental capacity to care for a child or young adult. Upon
request, an applicant must provide copies of medical reports from a health care professional, or may be required to complete an expert evaluation and authorize the Department to obtain a report from the evaluator; and
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(i) Ensure that all adult members of the household:
(A) Possess the ability to exercise sound judgment and demonstrate responsible, stable, emotionally mature behavior, within the individual's developmental and cognitive abilities;
(B) Do not pose a risk to the safety, health, and well-being needs of a child or
young adult;
(C) Have a lifestyle and personal habits free of criminal activity, and abuse or misuse of alcohol or drugs; and
(D) Cooperate with the Department's assessment of the household.
(4) To maintain a Certificate of Approval, in addition to continuing to meet the personal
qualifications in sections (1) to (3) of this rule, a certified family must:
(a) Learn and apply effective childrearing and behavior intervention practices focused on helping a child or young adult grow, develop, and build positive personal relationships and self-esteem;
(b) Incorporate into the family's care-giving practices positive non-punitive
discipline and ways of helping a child or young adult build positive personal relationships, self-control, and self-esteem;
(c) Ensure the child or young adult is taught age appropriate health and hygiene
practices and is given the opportunity to practice good hygiene;
(d) Respect and support the Department's efforts to develop and maintain the relationships of the child or young adult with the birth family, their relatives, and any other significant individual in the life of the child or young adult;
(e) Respect the spiritual beliefs, lifestyles, sexual orientation, gender identity,
disabilities, national origin, and cultural identities of each child or young adult, and provide opportunities to enhance the positive self-concept and understanding of the heritage of the child or young adult;
(f) Work in partnership with the Department to identify the strengths and meet the
needs of each child or young adult;
(g) Follow through and comply with prescribed services, activities, supervision plans, personal care services plans, visitation plans, transition plans, and
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restrictions for each child or young adult placed in the certified home, as applicable to that child or young adult; and
(h) Use reasonable efforts to prevent anyone from influencing the child or young
adult regarding allegations in a judicial or administrative proceeding in which the family or legal guardian of the child or young adult, the child or young adult, or another individual may be involved.
(5) Except when a certified family applies for recertification, an applicant must be:
(a) A citizen of the United States, either through birth or naturalization;
(b) Able to verify immigration status; or
(c) A relative of the child for whom the applicant is applying for a Certificate of Approval as a relative caregiver or approval as a potential adoptive resource.
413-200-0314 Initial Application Process (1) To become a certified family or potential adoptive resource, the applicant must
comply with all of the following requirements:
(a) Complete a Department application.
(b) Provide the names and contact information of at least four references, two of whom may be relatives of the applicant, who can attest to the applicant's character and ability to provide safe and protective care for a child or young adult.
(c) Provide names and contact information of at least two individuals with whom
the certified family is likely to remain in contact if displaced due to a natural disaster.
(d) Complete all required paperwork requested by the Department in a timely
manner and no later than 90 days after the initial request.
(e) Allow Department staff to conduct an in home safety assessment of conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect health, safety, and well-being for the child or young adult by providing access to each room in the primary residence of the applicant and each surrounding building on the property of the applicant
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unless the building or residence is a self-contained, separate entry residence rented to or owned by another individual.
(f) Allow Department staff to have face-to-face contact with all members of the
applicant's household.
(g) Provide social and family history information to the Department.
(h) Provide information about any current or previous licenses, certifications, or applications for relative care, foster care, day care, adoption, or any other types of services for vulnerable individuals including adult care giving. Information must include the organization's name and any denials, suspensions, revocations, or terminations.
(i) Sign a Department Authorization for Use and Disclosure of Information as
requested to allow the Department to complete a thorough background check of the applicant.
(j) Allow the Department, at its discretion, to gather information regarding the
criminal offender information records of any child, not in the care or custody of the Department, who lives in the household if there is reason to believe that child may pose a risk to children placed in the home.
(2) Both individuals are required to apply when the two individuals are lawfully married,
have a domestic partnership (as defined in ORS 106.310), or are co-habitating, unless:
(a) One individual is in the military and stationed out of the state; or
(b) For other unique circumstances in which one individual will not be responsible for any household management or the care of a child or young adult placed in the home, an exception is approved by the Child Welfare program manager.
(3) The applicant and each adult member of the applicant's household must have face-to-
face contact with a Department certifier and must provide:
(a) Information regarding criminal involvement, including arrests and convictions regarding any member of the household;
(b) Consent to a criminal records check, including information compiled and
maintained by OSP Bureau of Criminal Identification and a fingerprint-based criminal records check of national crime information databases as outlined in Child Welfare Policy, I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0460;
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(c) Information regarding any previous allegations of child abuse and neglect; and
(d) Consent to a child abuse and neglect background check. (4) Withdrawal of Application. An applicant may voluntarily withdraw the application.
The applicant must provide the voluntary withdrawal notice --
(a) On a form provided by the Department;
(b) In a written format of his or her choice; or
(c) Verbally to a certifier, adoption worker, or the supervisor of the certifier or adoption worker.
413-200-0335 Standards Regarding the Home Environment The applicant or certified family must ensure the home and surrounding environment comply with all of the following requirements: (1) General Conditions.
(a) The home must be the primary residence and the residence where the child or young adult will reside.
(b) The home must have adequate space for each member of the household,
including space for safe and appropriate sleeping arrangements.
(A) Department staff must consider the age, gender, special needs, behavior, and history of abuse or neglect of the child or young adult in determining appropriate sleeping arrangements.
(B) An unrelated child or young adult in the care or custody of the
Department may not share a bed.
(c) The home may not use electronic monitoring.
(d) The applicant or certified family must have access to a working telephone to make and receive phone calls.
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(e) The applicant or certified family must consider the age, special needs, and capabilities of the child or young adult, and have necessary safeguards and assurances that---
(A) Swimming pools, hot tubs, wading pools, ponds, and other water hazards
are inaccessible to a child or young adult unless responsibly supervised, and safeguards comply with state and local ordinances;
(B) Outdoor tools and equipment, machinery, chemicals, flammables, and
combustibles are stored in a safe manner;
(C) Animals are properly cared for and kept in compliance with local ordinances; and
(D) The access of a child or young adult to potentially dangerous animals
is restricted.
(f) The certified family must consider the age, special needs, and capabilities of the child or young adult when determining if an animal is a safe and appropriate pet.
(g) The certified family must receive authorization from the caseworker of the child
or young adult or the caseworker's supervisor prior to the beginning of hunting or target practice by the child or young adult.
(h) Hunting and sporting equipment, such as knives, spears, arrows, hunting sling
shots, bows, and martial art weapons must be stored in a safe and secure manner inaccessible to a child or young adult.
(2) Sanitation and Health.
(a) The home must have the necessary equipment for the safe preparation, storage, serving, and clean-up of food.
(b) The home must have a safe, properly maintained, and operational heating
system. Space heaters must be plugged directly into a wall outlet and must be equipped with tip-over protection.
(c) The home and furnishings must be clean and in good repair, and the grounds
must be maintained.
(d) There must be no accumulation of garbage or debris.
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(e) The home must have safe and adequate drinking water, and an adequate source of safe water to be used for personal hygiene.
(f) There must be provision for the safe storage of all medications in the
household, and locked storage for psychotropic medications for any member of the household.
(g) There must be easily accessible first aid supplies, and a reasonable
understanding of how to use such supplies.
(h) Smoking limitations:
(A) A child or young adult may not be exposed to any type of second-hand smoke in the family's home or vehicle; and
(B) A member of the household may not provide any form of tobacco
products to a child or young adult. (3) Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety.
(a) The home must have all of the following:
(A) One working smoke alarm in each bedroom where a child or young adult sleeps within 24 hours of the time the applicant is certified or approved.
(B) One working carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of each bedroom
where a child or young adult sleeps and one on each floor within 24 hours of the time the applicant is certified or approved.
(C) At least one operable fire extinguisher rated 2-A:10-B-C or higher within
24 hours of the time the applicant is certified or approved.
(D) One means of emergency exit and one means of rescue from the home.
(E) An adequate safeguard around operating fireplaces, wood stoves, or other heating systems which may cause burns to a child or young adult developmentally unable to reasonably follow safety rules regarding such devices.
(F) Operable, quick-release mechanisms on barred windows. No bedroom
occupied by a child or young adult unable to use the quick-release mechanism may have a barred window.
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(G) A written, comprehensive home evacuation plan, shared with each child or young adult at the time of placement, and practiced at least every six months. The written, comprehensive home evacuation plan must include a provision for the safe exit of a child or young adult who is not capable of understanding or participating in the evacuation plan.
(H) Doors that lock on the inside operable from the outside of the room, and
doors that lock on the outside operable from the inside of the room.
(b) Each bedroom used by a child or young adult must have:
(A) One unrestricted exit;
(B) At least one secondary means of exit or rescue;
(C) Alarms required under paragraph (a)(A) of this section; and
(D) Unrestricted, direct access at all times to hallways, corridors, living rooms, or other such common areas.
(4) Travel and Transportation Safety.
(a) An applicant or certified family must have available, and be willing to use, a safe and reliable method of transportation.
(b) Any member of the household transporting a child or young adult must provide
proof of a valid driver license and current insurance, as required by law, on any family-owned motorized vehicle by which a child or young adult might be transported, when a family has applied for certification and at each re-certification.
(c) The applicant or certified family must assure that, as required by current state
law:
(A) Only a licensed and insured driver transports a child or young adult in motorized vehicles; and
(B) A child or young adult uses a seat belt or age and size appropriate safety
seat when transported in motorized vehicles.
(d) Written authorization from the Department must be received prior to transporting a child or young adult out of the State of Oregon or outside the United States.
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(e) A certified family must provide the Department a minimum of 30 days notice seeking approval for international travel prior to any international travel with a child or young adult. In an emergency, the certified family must request approval from the Department as soon as the need for international travel becomes known.
413-200-0348 Requirements Regarding the Number of Children and Young Adults in the Home (1) Except as provided in section (3) of this rule, a certified family may not exceed the
following maximum number of children and young adults in the home:
(a) A total of --
(A) Four children or young adults when one certified adult lives in the home; or
(B) Seven children or young adults when two certified adults live in the
home.
(b) Two children under the age of three. (2) The limits in section (1) of this rule include all children or young adults residing in the
home, not only children or young adults in the care or custody of the Department. (3) Under special circumstances, a Child Welfare program manager may approve
placement of a child or young adult in a certified family that exceeds the maximum number of children and young adults in section (1) of this rule.
(4) A certified family may not accept a child or young adult for placement from another
agency without prior approval of the Child Welfare program manager or designee. (5) A certified family may not provide formal or informal adult foster care or child day
care without prior approval of the Child Welfare program manager or designee.
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413-200-0352 Requirements for the Care of Children and Young Adults A certified family must comply with all of the following requirements: (1) Work cooperatively with the Department, the child or young adult, and his or her
family to support the case plan and meet the needs of the child or young adult including but not limited to:
(a) Health, dental, and mental health care;
(b) Recreational, social, intellectual, and emotional development;
(c) Continued contact or connection with family members, siblings, and relatives;
and
(d) Adequate and appropriate clothing. (2) Include the child or young adult as part of the certified family household. (3) Assure that when a child or young adult leaves the certified family, the belongings of
the child or young adult, both those brought with him or her and those obtained while living in the home, remain with the child or young adult.
(4) Not subject any child to abuse, as described in ORS 419B.005. 413-200-0354 Requirements Regarding the Education of a Child or Young Adult (1) The certified family must comply with all of the following requirements:
(a) Enroll the child or young adult in his or her school or educational placement, after the school or educational placement has been determined by the Department.
(b) Support the child or young adult in his or her school or educational placement,
and respond to inquiries from the school or educational placement.
(c) Assure the child or young adult regularly attends the school or educational placement, and monitor the educational progress of the child or young adult, including keeping records of:
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(A) The report cards of the child or young adult;
(B) Any reports received from the teacher, school, or educational placement;
(C) Any evaluations received as a result of educational testing or assessment;
(D) Disciplinary reports regarding the child or young adult; and
(E) Ongoing progress toward graduation of a child or young adult no later than age 19.
(d) Monitor educational successes, learning style, and potential learning difficulties
of the child or young adult.
(e) Work with the caseworker of the child or young adult when referring the child or young adult for assessment of a possible disability.
(f) Notify the caseworker of the child or young adult of the certified family's
interest in or intent to be appointed as the educational surrogate (see OAR 413-100-0506) parent of the child or young adult.
(g) Work with the Department to regularly share information regarding the
educational progress of the child or young adult. (2) The certified family may be appointed to safeguard a child's rights in the special
education decision-making process. This appointment may occur pursuant to Division 581-015 of Oregon Department of Education administrative rules, or by the juvenile court under ORS 419B.220.
(3) The certified family may provide consent for a child or young adult placed in the
home to participate in routine school-related activities, such as school enrollment, field trips within the state of Oregon, routine social events, sporting events, and cultural events.
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413-200-0358 Requirements Regarding the Discipline of a Child or Young Adult (1) The certified family must demonstrate a willingness to understand the meaning of the
behaviors of the child or young adult, and have the ability to develop and use appropriate discipline strategies to address challenging behaviors.
(2) When disciplining a child or young adult, the certified family may not do any of the
following:
(a) Use or threaten physical force.
(b) Use threats or intimidation.
(c) Withhold food or other items essential to the protection, safety, or well-being of a child or young adult.
(d) Discipline all children or young adults in the household for the misbehavior of
one child or young adult.
(e) Use any form of punishment which includes but is not limited to:
(A) The deliberate infliction of physical force causing pain.
(B) Verbal abuse including derogatory remarks about the child or young adult, the family characteristics, physical traits, culture, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, or traditions of the child or young adult.
(C) Denying a child or young adult visits, telephone, or other types of contact
with an individual authorized in a visit and contact plan.
(D) Assigning extremely strenuous exercise or work.
(E) Use of or threatened use of restraining devices.
(F) Imposing a sanction, penalty, consequence, or reprimand for bed-wetting or during toilet training.
(G) Directing or permitting a child or young adult to punish another child or
young adult.
(H) Threat of removal from the certified family home.
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(I) Forcing or requiring a child or young adult to shower or bathe as a sanction, penalty, consequence, or reprimand.
(J) Extreme isolation as a means of punishment that restricts the ability of a
child or young adult to talk with or associate with others.
(K) Locking a child or young adult in a room or outside of the home. (3) The certified family may use a time-out only for the purpose of giving the child or
young adult a short break to allow the child or young adult to calm himself or herself and regain control, and not as a punishment. The certified family must take into consideration the age and developmental level of the child or young adult in determining the length of a time-out.
(4) Pursuant to Child Welfare Policy I-B.1.6, "Enhanced Supervision", OAR 413-020-
0200 to 413-020-0255, only an adult in a certified family or Department staff, who has been trained to use a physical restraint, may do so, unless a child, young adult, or others are at imminent risk of harm. Physical restraint may only be used if good judgment indicates that a physical restraint may safely be implemented. Any time a physical restraint is used, the certified family must follow the reporting requirements in OAR 413-020-0240.
(5) The certified family must notify and request assistance of the Department when the
challenging behavior of a child or young adult may be beyond the ability of the certified family to discipline in a positive manner.
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413-200-0362 Requirements Regarding the Medical, Dental, and Mental Health Care of a Child or Young Adult (1) In addressing the health care for a child or young adult, the certified family must:
(a) Work collaboratively with the Department in managing the health care needs of a child or young adult, which may include involving a parent of the child or young adult in medical, dental, and mental health appointments;
(b) Regularly exchange medical, dental, and mental health information of the child
or young adult with the Department;
(c) Work collaboratively with providers in managing the medical, dental, and mental health needs of a child or young adult; and
(d) Maintain documentation of each child or young adult, including:
(A) Medical, dental, and mental health appointments;
(B) Medical, dental, and mental health information;
(C) Medical, dental, and mental health appointment follow-up reports; and
(D) Immunization records.
(2) A certified family must comply with the Department's direction on obtaining medical,
dental, and mental health care for a child or young adult. (3) A certified family may consent to routine examinations and laboratory tests. (4) A certified family must allow vaccination and immunization of a child or young adult
in accordance with the Department's case plan. (5) Except as provided in section (6) of this rule, the certified family must contact the
caseworker of a child or young adult to obtain appropriate prior consent from the Department before a child or young adult receives any medical care or undergoes a procedure, other than routine medical care.
(6) In an emergency, a certified family must notify the Department as soon as possible
when emergency care is needed.
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(7) Medication management requirements.
(a) The certified family must comply with all of the following requirements:
(A) Administer prescription medications to a child or young adult only in accordance with the written prescription or authorization.
(B) Record the dosage, date, and time that each medication is administered to
a child or young adult on a form approved by the Department. If medication is given in a location other than the certified home, such as at school or in daycare, the medication log of the institution or program must be attached to the Department form. The medication form, with any attachments, must be submitted monthly to the caseworker of the child or young adult.
(C) Take the medication log to each medical appointment and share with the
medical provider.
(D) Inform the caseworker of the child or young adult or the supervisor of the caseworker within one business day when a child or young adult is prescribed a psychotropic medication or the dosage of any existing prescription for psychotropic medication is changed.
(E) Begin administration of any psychotropic medication only after consent
has been obtained from the Department pursuant to Child Welfare Policy I-E.3.3.1, "Psychotropic Medication Management", OAR 413-070-0400 to 413-070-0490.
(F) Maintain the documentation received from the caseworker when a child
is prescribed a psychotropic medication or when the dosage of any existing prescription for a psychotropic medication is changed.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the certified family
must store all medications in such a way that the medications are inaccessible to a child or young adult and must store all psychotropic medications in locked storage.
(c) When a child or young adult is learning to manage his or her own medications,
the certified family, the child or young adult, and the caseworker may develop an individualized, written plan for the child or young adult to access the medication. The child or young adult may not have access to medication that is not his or her own. The plan must state how the medication will be inaccessible
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to other children or young adults in the home. The certified family, the child or young adult, and the caseworker keep a copy of the plan.
(8) The certified family must comply with the personal care services plan for any child or
young adult placed in the certified family's home and eligible for personal care services pursuant to Child Welfare Policy I-E.5.1.2, "Personal Care Services", OAR 413-090-0100 to 413-090-0210.
413-200-0371 Responsibilities and Notification Requirements for Selection and Use of Respite Care Providers and Babysitters (1) Respite Providers.
(a) The certified family is responsible for identifying a safe and responsible respite care provider for a child or young adult placed in the certified family's home and must take into consideration:
(A) The age, special needs, attachment, and individual behaviors of each
child or young adult; and
(B) The length of time that the child or young adult will be with the respite care provider.
(b) Responsibilities when identifying a respite care provider.
The certified family must:
(A) Select a respite care provider who –
(i) Is at least 18 years of age;
(ii) Is capable of assuming child care and supervision responsibilities, including meeting the safety, health, and well-being needs of each child or young adult in the certified family's care;
(iii) Complies with OAR 413-200-0358; and
(iv) Is present with the children or young adults for whom they are
providing respite care at all times.
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(B) Provide to the certifier the name, address, and telephone number of the prospective respite care provider and receive Department approval under OAR 413-200-0281 prior to using the respite care provider.
(2) Babysitters.
(a) The certified family must use a responsible person 14 years of age or older for babysitting, and must:
(A) Assure the babysitter is capable of assuming child care responsibilities
required to meet the needs of each child or young adult, and will be present with the child or young adult for whom the babysitter is providing care at all times, and
(B) Have no reason to suspect that the babysitter --
(i) Has any criminal history or child abuse or neglect history; or
(ii) Poses any risk to the child or young adult for whom the babysitter
will provide care.
(b) The certified family may not use a babysitter for overnight care.
(c) Unless requested by the Department, the certified family does not need to provide identifying information to the Department to complete a criminal records check for a babysitter.
(3) General Provisions for Respite Care and Babysitting.
(a) The certified family must have an available method through which the certified family may be contacted in an emergency at any time the child or young adult is cared for by another individual.
(b) A certified family may use a licensed, registered, or approved childcare center
or day care provider for a child or young adult, and must notify the Department in advance of using the childcare center or day care provider.
(c) Family and childhood activities.
(A) The certified family may give consent for a child or young adult in the
Department's care or custody to participate in ordinary childhood activities, such as parties and sleepovers with friends, and organized
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activities provided by schools, religious or civic organizations, scouts, or similar groups.
(B) The certified family must verify that the event is safe, adequately
supervised, and appropriate for the child or young adult based upon his or her needs.
(C) When the certified family has any questions regarding the child or young
adult participating in an activity, the certified family must consult with the caseworker of the child or young adult.
(d) The certified family must notify the caseworker of the child or young adult
and obtain the approval of the caseworker or caseworker's supervisor prior to the child or young adult being absent from the certified family for more than 24 hours.
(e) The certified family must obtain approval from the certifier or the certifier's
supervisor when the certified family plans to provide respite care for another certified family causing the number of children or young adults in the home to exceed the maximum number of children or young adults on the certified family's Certificate of Approval.
413-200-0377 Confidentiality (1) The certified family must exercise good judgment in sharing personal information
about the child or young adult and the family of the child or young adult. The certified family must store documents regarding the child or young adult and family of the child or young adult in a way that protects the privacy of the child or young adult and the family of the child or young adult.
(2) The certified family may not disclose confidential information regarding a child or
young adult or the family of a child or young adult, except when necessary to promote or to protect the health and welfare of the child, young adult, or the community.
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413-200-0379 Education and Training for Applicants and Certified Families (1) An applicant must participate in the Department's Orientation prior to receiving a
Certificate of Approval, or within 30 days after the placement of a child or young adult in a home that has been issued a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval.
(2) Except as provided in sections (3) or (4) of this rule, each applicant and certified
family must complete Foundations training before or within 12 months after the date on which the Certificate of Approval was issued,; or have written documentation of completion of equivalent training content from another licensed child-caring agency within two years of an applicant's dated application for a Certificate of Approval from the Department.
(3) A certified family is exempt from section (2) of this rule if a written, individualized
training plan, specific to the needs of the children or young adults placed with a certified family holding a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval, has been approved by a supervisor and developed within 90 days after a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval has been issued by the Department.
(4) An applicant is exempt from section (2) of this rule if the applicant is applying to
become a potential adoptive resource and has approval under OAR 413-120-0246. (5) Foundations training is required if an applicant
previously certified by the Department has not been certified within the preceding two years unless: (a) Alternative training has been approved under sections (3) or (4) of this rule; or
(b) The supervisor waives the training requirement based on the applicant's
documented knowledge and skills in caring for a child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(6) The certified family and the certifier must develop a training plan for each individual
certified in the family to complete at least 30 hours of training during each two-year certification period, unless a written individualized training plan is developed for a certified family with a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval. The written individualized training plan:
(a) Must be designed to strengthen the certified family's ability to meet the safety,
health, and well-being needs of the children or young adults placed in the certified family's home;
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(b) May be less than the required 30 hours required during a certification period; and
(c) Must be approved by a certification supervisor.
(7) Each applicant and certified family with limited English proficiency or a hearing or
visual impairment, and unable to meet the training requirements outlined in sections (1) to (6) of this rule may be provided an individualized training plan prepared by the certifier and approved by the certification supervisor.
(8) The Department may require a certified family to obtain more than the 30 hours
of training for a two-year certification period depending on the needs of the children or young adults placed in the home or the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the certified family.
413-200-0383 Other Required Notifications A certified family must notify the certifier or certifier's supervisor of all of the following: (1) Any individual joining or leaving the household. (2) Any prospective respite care provider. (3) Any anticipated change in address. (4) Any physical or structural change in the home or surrounding property on which they
live. (5) Any arrest or court conviction for any member of the household. This notification
must occur within one business day. (6) Any known allegation of child abuse or neglect perpetrated by any member of the
household, or an individual who regularly visits the home. Such notification must occur on the day that the certified family learns of the allegation.
(7) The suspension of a driver license of any adult on the Certificate of Approval or any
member of the household. (8) Any change in the physical health, mental health, or medication of a member of the
household that reasonably could affect the ability of the member or the family to meet the needs of safety, health, and well-being of a child or young adult.
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(9) Any time any member of the household applies to become an in-home child care provider, an adult foster care, or in-home adult day care provider.
(10) Any time another agency wishes to place a child or young adult in the certified home. (11) Any time the certified family agrees to provide respite care for another certified
family. (12) Any other circumstance that reasonably could affect the safety, health, or well-being
of a child or young adult in the certified family's home. 413-200-0386 Requirements Regarding Mandatory Reporting Any member of the household and any certified family's employee, independent contractor, or volunteer who works in the certified family's home, must report the pertinent information to the Department upon reasonable cause to believe that any child with whom the individual comes in contact has suffered abuse or neglect or that any adult with whom the individual comes in contact has abused or neglected a child. 413-200-0388 Requirements Regarding Visits in the Certified Family's Home For purposes of assessing the conditions in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being for the child or young adult, a certified family must: (1) Allow on-going in-home visits, both scheduled and unscheduled, by Department staff;
and (2) Allow Department staff unsupervised contact with a child or young adult. 413-200-0390 Requirements Regarding Maintaining the Certificate of Approval (1) The Department may conduct an expedited certification and may issue a Child-
Specific Certificate of Approval for no more than 180 days when assessment activities described in Child Welfare Policy II-B.1.1, "Responsibilities for Certification and Supervision of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0274(2)(a) to (p) have been completed.
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(2) The Department may issue a full certification and Certificate of Approval for
up to two years when all assessment activities in OAR 413-200-0274(6) have been completed.
(3) To remain certified, the certified family must submit a completed Application for
Renewal or Change of Status, and the Department will assess the certified family every two years.
(4) When the certified family has submitted a timely application for re-certification, the
current Certificate of Approval will not expire, despite any expiration date, until the Department has issued a new Certificate of Approval or there is a final order of denial.
413-200-0393 Requirements Regarding Inactive Referral Status (1) A certified family may request that the Department place the home on Inactive
Referral Status for any reason for up to 12 months. The inactive referral status begins immediately and while it is in effect:
(a) The Department will place no additional child or young adult in the home; and
(b) The certified family may not accept placement of any child or young adult from
another agency. (2) Inactive Referral Status, when requested by the certified family, ends:
(a) At the request of the certified family; or
(b) When the certificate expires and --
(A) The family has not timely applied for renewal of the certificate; or
(B) The Department has not renewed the certificate. (3) The Department may initiate a certified family's Inactive Referral Status under the
conditions described in Child Welfare Policy II-B.1.1, "Responsibilities for Certification and Supervision of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0294(5) or (6). When the Department initiates Inactive Referral Status, the Department must:
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(a) Provide written notification to the certified family of the Inactive Referral Status within 14 business days; and
(b) Provide written notification to the certified family when Inactive Referral Status ends.
413-200-0394 Requirements Regarding Termination of a Certificate of Approval (1) A certified family may voluntarily request that the Department terminate the
Certificate of Approval and close the home. The certified family must give the Department 10-days notice before the Certificate of Approval is terminated. The Department must remove any child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department from the home before closing the home.
(2) When a child or young adult leaves a home that has a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval, the Department terminates the Child-Specific Certificate of Approval within 10 business days of the departure of the child or young adult, unless at least one of the following subsections applies:
(a) The child-specific certified family submits a written request to continue their
Certificate of Approval as a foster parent under OAR 413-200-0289(4) within 10 business days of the departure of the child or young adult from the home.
(b) The Department has determined the child or young adult is removed because
the certified family cannot meet the safety, health, and well-being needs of the child or young adult and has violated one or more rules under Child Welfare Policy II B.1, "Certification Standards for Foster Parents, Relative Caregivers, and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396.
(c) OAR 413-200-0395(6) applies.
(3) When the Department has determined that subsection (2)(b) of this rule applies, the
Department will notify the certified family of the decision and issue a notice of intent to revoke the Certificate of Approval pursuant to OAR 413-200-0395(2).
(4) When a certified family moves to a different residence, the Department terminates
the Certificate of Approval and closes the home. The Department may issue a new Certificate of Approval when the activities described in OAR 413-200-0292(5) have been completed.
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413-200-0395 Requirements Regarding Denial and Revocation of a Certificate of Approval (1) The Department may deny an application for a Certificate of Approval if an applicant
fails to provide requested information within 90 days of a written request from the Department.
(2) The Department may deny an application or revoke a Certificate of Approval when:
(a) The applicant or certified family does not meet one or more of these rules (OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396);
(b) The Department discovers an applicant or a certified family has falsified
information (by act of commission or omission) before or after the Certificate of Approval has been issued; or
(c) An applicant or certified family fails to provide information to or inform the
Department of any disqualifying condition that arises before or after the Certificate of Approval has been issued.
(3) The Department must provide an applicant to become or remain a certified family a
written notice of revocation or denial, which must comply with OAR 413-010-0510 and must state the reason or reasons for the revocation or the denial.
(4) Unless the certified family requests that the Department terminate the Certificate of
Approval under OAR 413-200-0394(1), the Department must revoke a Certificate of Approval when a certified family violates one or more of these rules (OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396) and, at the conclusion of a Child Protective Services assessment, the Department determines that there is a safety threat in the certified family's home.
(5) Upon deciding to revoke a certified family's Certificate of Approval, the Department
must remove from the home any child or young adult in the Department's care or custody.
(6) When the Department has issued a notice to revoke a Certificate of Approval, the
certificate will not expire despite any expiration date on the Certificate of Approval, until there is a final order to revoke the Certificate of Approval.
(7) When the Department revokes a Certificate of Approval or denies an application to
become a certified family, the Department has the discretion to require up to a five-year waiting period before the individual or individuals can reapply to become a relative caregiver or foster parent.
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413-200-0396 Requirements Regarding Contested Case Hearings (1) Except as provided in section (4) of this rule, an applicant to become a certified family
may request a contested case hearing to contest the Department's decision to deny a Certificate of Approval.
(2) A certified family may request a contested case hearing to contest the Department's
decision to revoke the Certificate of Approval. (3) A certified family or an applicant to become a certified family requests a contested
case hearing, as provided in ORS Chapter 183, by providing a Child Welfare program manager a written request for a hearing within 30 days of the date that the Department mailed the notice of denial or revocation.
(4) ORS Chapter 183 does not provide a contested case process for an adoptive applicant
who is denied approval as a potential adoptive resource. (5) If the Department does not receive a request for a contested case hearing within 30
days of the date that the Department mailed the notice of denial or revocation, the certified family or applicant to become a certified family has waived the right to a hearing, except as provided in OAR 413-010-0505.
(6) Department actions when a contested case hearing is timely requested but such request
is subsequently withdrawn are outlined in OAR 413-010-0530(1). (7) OAR 413-010-0505 describes the requirements to a request for a contested case
hearing due to the denial or revocation of a Certificate of Approval. Notes:
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Responsibilities for Certification and Supervision of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of
Potential Adoptive Resources
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413-200-0270 Purpose (1) The purpose of these rules (OAR 413-200-0270 to 413-200-0296) is to describe the
activities of the Department related to --
(a) The certification of a relative caregiver or foster parent, and the assessment of a potential adoptive resource;
(b) Monitoring a certified family's compliance with the Certification Standards; and
(c) Recertification of a certified family.
(2) Regardless of the nature of the relationship between a family and a child or young
adult, a family must be assessed and certified prior to placement of the child or young adult in the home.
(3) In these rules, unless otherwise indicated, a child or young adult refers to a child or
young adult in the care or custody of the Department. (4) OAR 413-200-0276, 413-200-0278, 413-200-0281, 413-200-0283, 413-200-0285,
413-200-0287, 413-200-0289, 413-200-0292, 413-200-0294, and 413-200-0296 do not apply to a potential adoptive resource.
413-200-0272 Definitions The following definitions apply to OAR 413-200-0270 to 413-200-0296: (1) "Adoptive resource" means an individual or individuals selected by the Department,
another public child welfare agency, or a licensed adoption agency as the adoptive family for a child where no administrative review was requested within the timeframe allowed for such a request, or if a review was requested, the selection has been sustained by that review and the review is complete.
(2) "Applicant" means an individual or individuals who apply:
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(a) To become or remain a certified family;
(b) For approval as a potential adoptive resource. (3) "Certificate of Approval" means a document that the Department issues to approve the
operation of a certified relative caregiver home or foster home. (4) "Certified family" means an individual or individuals who hold a Certificate of
Approval from the Department to operate a home to provide care, in the home in which they reside, to a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(5) "Certifier" means a Child Welfare employee who:
(a) Conducts assessments of applicants interested in providing relative or foster care to a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department or conducts assessments of a potential adoptive resource;
(b) Determines whether or not to recommend approval of the operation of a relative
caregiver or foster home or approval of a potential adoptive resource; and
(c) Monitors the compliance of a caregiver or foster care home with Child Welfare certification rules.
(6) "Child" means a person under 18 years of age. (7) "Child-Specific Certificate of Approval" means a document authorizing an individual
or individuals to operate a home to provide care for a specific child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(8) "Co-habitating" means the act of two adults, unmarried to each other, living together
in an intimate relationship as if married. (9) "Criminal records check" means the process for obtaining and reviewing an
individual's criminal offender information and may include a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases.
(10) "Denial" means the refusal of the Department to issue an initial or renew a Certificate
of Approval to operate a relative caregiver home or foster home to provide care for a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(11) "Department" means the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare.
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(12) "Foster parent" means an individual who operates a home that has been approved by the Department to provide care for an unrelated child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(13) "Home study" means a document containing an analysis of the ability of the applicant
to provide safe and appropriate care of a child or young adult. (14) "Inactive Referral Status" means a period of time, not to exceed 12 months, during
which neither the Department nor any other agency will place an additional child or young adult with a certified family.
(15) "Member of the household" means any adult or child living in the home, including
any caregiving employee or volunteer who may reside in the home. (16) "Placement support plan" means a documented set of actions or resources that is
developed to assist a relative caregiver or foster parent to maintain conditions that provide safety and well-being for a child or young adult in the home.
(17) "Relative caregiver" means an individual who operates a home that has been approved
by the Department to provide care for a related child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(18) "Respite care" means a formal planned arrangement to relieve a certified family's
responsibilities by an individual temporarily assuming responsibility for the care and supervision of a child or young adult in the home of the respite provider or certified family. "Respite care" must be less than 14 consecutive days.
(19) "Revocation" means an administrative act by the Department that rescinds an existing
Certificate of Approval. (20) "Young adult" means an individual aged 18 through 20 years. 413-200-0274 Responsibilities for Assessment and Certification (1) Sections (2) to (5) of this rule cover Department responsibilities for an expedited
process for certification of an applicant for a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval. Sections (6) and (7) cover Department responsibilities for certification of all other applicants and assessment of a potential adoptive resource.
(2) To complete the expedited process for assessment of an applicant for a Child-Specific
Certificate of Approval, the certifier must:
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(a) Review the completed application.
(b) Have face-to-face contact with the applicant and each member of the household. If a member of the household is unavailable when conducting face-to-face contact for a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval, the certifier must:
(A) Obtain the approval of the supervisor to delay face-to-face contact with
that member of the household; and
(B) Determine a date and time for the face-to-face contact within one week of the date the member of the household becomes available.
(c) Explain the certification process.
(d) Discuss with the applicant the role and responsibilities of the Department.
(e) Assess the applicant's motivation for and interest in caring for the child or
young adult.
(f) Complete a home visit.
(A) Observe and assess the safety of the physical environment;
(B) Walk through every room in the home and each surrounding building; and
(C) Complete a Safety Assessment of the home.
(g) Gather and analyze information, through interview and observation, as it relates
to each applicant's personal qualifications and assess the conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being for a child or young adult.
(h) Assure completion of a criminal records check through LEDS, which includes
information compiled and maintained by OSP Bureau of Criminal Identification on each adult member of the household and initiate a criminal records check, including information compiled and maintained by OSP Bureau of Criminal Identification and a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information as outlined in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470. (A) Assess the fitness of the applicant or member of the household pursuant
to OAR 413-120-0450 and 413-120-0455; and
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(B) If appropriate, request an exception pursuant to OAR 413-120-0450(7) to complete certification of the applicant despite the criminal offender history of an applicant or member of the household.
(i) At the Department's discretion and when there is reason to believe a child, not
in the care or custody of the Department and living in the home, may pose a risk to a child or young adult placed in the home, initiate a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases as outlined in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470.
(j) Assure initiation of child abuse history background checks for each adult
member of the household.
(A) A child abuse history background check must be completed in the state of Oregon and requested from any other state where the individual has resided in the last five years;
(B) Assess any safety concerns regarding the applicant or member of the
household raised by information learned from the child abuse history background check; and
(C) When appropriate, obtain approval from the District Manager or designee
on a form approved by the Department to continue certification when a member of the household has been identified as the perpetrator or possible perpetrator of abuse or neglect in a Child Protective Services Assessment Founded Disposition, Unable to Determine Disposition, or a similar disposition from another state.
(k) Within 24 hours, gather information from at least two personal references for
the applicant.
(l) Assure the applicant possesses a valid driver license and auto insurance if the applicant will transport a child or young adult in the care or custody of the Department.
(m) Determine, with input from the applicant, the gender, ages, and maximum
number of children and young adults who may be placed in the home by the Department.
(n) When appropriate, obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or designee on a form approved by the Department when:
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(A) The applicant or a member of the household is an in-home day care provider or foster care provider licensed by another program, unless placement is authorized under an agreement;
(B) The applicant or a member of the household is an adult foster care or in-
home adult day care provider; or
(C) An applicant applying to become a relative caregiver is 18, 19, or 20 years of age.
(o) When appropriate, obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or
designee on a form approved by the Department, when the applicant is assessed as a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval through an office other than the office in the county in which the applicant resides.
(p) When appropriate, obtain the approval of the Child Welfare program manager
when the number of children or young adults placed in the home will exceed the maximum number of children or young adults as described in OAR 413-200-0276.
(q) After completing the activities in subsections (2)(a) to (p) of this rule, the
Department may issue a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval for up to 180 days.
(3) As soon as possible and no later than the 180-day period beginning the date the Child-
Specific Certificate of Approval is issued, the certifier must complete all of the following actions:
(a) Gather information from at least two additional references. No more than two of
the four required references may be provided by the applicant's relatives.
(b) Contact the caseworker of the child or young adult placed in the home regarding the adjustment of the child or young adult in placement and the certified family's ability to meet the needs of the child or young adult.
(c) Conduct a home visit at least every 90 days, and when necessary, additional
home visits.
(d) Gather personal, family social history information sufficient to assess the conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being of a child or young adult through a series of questionnaires and interviews completed by applicants, members of the household, and others.
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(e) Assure completion of the fingerprint based criminal records check as described in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470.
(f) Assure completion of the child abuse history background checks for each adult
member of the household as required in paragraph (2)(j)(A) of this rule and request a child abuse history background check for each adult member of the household who has lived in another country in the five years preceding the applicant's dated application for a Certificate of Approval from the Department.
(g) Verify that the certified family --
(A) Has completed Orientation within 30 days after the expedited Child-
Specific Certificate of Approval was issued; and
(B) Has a plan --
(i) To complete Foundations training before or within 12 months after the date on which the Certificate of Approval was issued; or
(ii) Has a written, individualized training plan, approved by a
supervisor, specific to meeting the needs of the child or young adult placed with a certified family holding a child-specific certificate. The individualized training plan must:
(I) Include training on mental and emotional problems that
occur in child victims of abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse and rape of a child; and
(II) Be developed within 90 days after a Child-Specific
Certificate of Approval has been issued by the Department.
(h) Discuss and develop a training plan for each certified adult in the family.
(i) Document the assessment of the certified family's ability to provide safety, health, and well-being for the child or young adult in a home study on a form approved by the Department.
(4) After completing the activities in section (3) of this rule, the Department may approve
the certified family for the two-year certification period and issue a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval. The effective date of an approval issued under this section will be the day on which the activities in section (3) of this rule were completed. The
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expiration date of an approval issued under this section will be two years from the effective date on the first expedited Child-Specific Certificate of Approval.
(5) When the activities described in subsections (3)(a) to (3)(i) of this rule have not been
completed within 180 days:
(a) The District Manager or designee may extend the Child-Specific Certificate of Approval for no longer than 30 days; or
(b) The Foster Care Program Manager or designee may extend the Child-Specific
Certificate of Approval for over 30 days if an activity has not been completed due to circumstances beyond the control of the Department.
(6) To complete the assessment for the certification of all other applicants other than
those being assessed for an expedited Child-Specific Certificate of Approval, the certifier must:
(a) Review the completed application.
(b) Have face-to-face contact with the applicant and each member of the
household.
(c) Explain the process for certification of a relative caregiver or foster parent and approval of a potential adoptive resource.
(d) Discuss with the applicant the role and responsibilities of the Department.
(e) Assess the applicant's motivation for and interest in caring for a child
or young adult.
(f) Complete a minimum of two home visits.
(A) Observe and assess the safety of the physical environment;
(B) Walk through every room in the home and each surrounding building; and
(C) Complete a Safety Assessment of the home.
(g) Gather social history information through a series of questionnaires approved
by the Department, interviews, and observations in which the Department staff gathers personal information about the applicant and the household. Analyze information as it relates to each applicant's personal qualifications and assess
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the conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being for a child or young adult.
(h) Assure completion of a criminal records check including information compiled
and maintained by the OSP Bureau of Criminal Identification and a fingerprint-based criminal records check of national crime information databases on each adult member of the household and, at the Department's discretion, on any child under 18, as outlined in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470.
(A) Assess the fitness of the applicant or member of the household pursuant
to OAR 413-120-0450 and 413-120-0455; and
(B) If appropriate, request an exception pursuant to OAR 413-120-0450(7) to complete certification of the applicant despite the criminal offender history of an applicant or member of the household.
(i) At the Department's discretion and when there is reason to believe a child, not
in the care or custody of the Department and living in the home, may pose a risk to a child or young adult placed in the home, initiate a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases as outlined in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470.
(j) Assure completion of child abuse history background checks for each adult
member of the household.
(A) If the applicant or an adult member of the household has lived outside the state of Oregon and within the United States in the previous five years, obtain a child abuse history background check from each state where the individual resided in the five years preceding the applicant's dated application for a Certificate of Approval from the Department;
(B) If the applicant or an adult member of the household has lived outside of
the United States in the previous five years, a child abuse history background check must be requested from each country where the individual lived within the five years preceding the applicant's dated application for a Certificate of Approval from the Department;
(C) Assess any safety concerns regarding the applicant or member of the
household raised by information learned from the child abuse history background check; and
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(D) When appropriate, obtain approval from the District Manager or designee on a form approved by the Department to continue certification when a member of the household has been identified as the perpetrator or possible perpetrator of abuse or neglect in a Child Protective Services Assessment Founded Disposition, Unable to Determine Disposition, or a similar disposition from another state.
(k) Gather information from at least four personal references for the applicant, no
more than two of which may be provided by the applicant's relatives.
(l) Obtain authorization from the applicant prior to contacting any individual in completing a thorough background check, other than the applicant's adult children and references provided by the applicant.
(m) Assure the applicant possesses a valid driver license and auto insurance if the
applicant will transport a child or young adult.
(n) Determine, with input from the applicant, the gender, ages, and maximum number of children and young adults who may be placed in the home by the Department.
(o) When appropriate, obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or
designee on a form approved by the Department under the following circumstances:
(A) The applicant or a member of the household is an in-home day care
provider or foster care provider licensed by another child-caring agency, unless placement is authorized under an Interagency Agreement;
(B) The applicant or a member of the household is an adult foster care or in-
home adult day care provider; or
(C) An applicant applying to become a relative caregiver is 18, 19, or 20 years of age.
(p) When appropriate, obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or
designee on a form approved by the Department when the applicant applies for a Certificate of Approval through an office other than the office in the county in which the family resides.
(q) When appropriate, obtain the approval of the Child Welfare program manager
when the number of children or young adults placed in the home will exceed
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the maximum number of children or young adults as described in OAR 413-200-0276.
(r) Verify that the applicant has completed Orientation and Foundations training
before or within 12 months after the date on which the Certificate of Approval was issued, or has written documentation of completion of equivalent training content from another licensed child-caring agency within two years of an applicant's dated application for a Certificate of Approval from the Department.
(s) Discuss and develop a training plan with each applicant.
(t) Document the assessment of the applicant's ability to provide safety, health, and
well-being for the child or young adult in a home study on a form approved by the Department.
(7) After completing the activities in section (6) of this rule, the Department may:
(a) Issue a Certificate of Approval for a two-year period for individuals applying to become a certified family; or
(b) Send written notice of the status of the application for a potential adoptive
resource pursuant to OAR 413-120-0240. 413-200-0276 Responsibility to Determine the Maximum Number of Children or Young Adults in a Certified Family Home (1) Unless special circumstances exist, a supervisor may not issue a Certificate of
Approval that, when the home is fully occupied, exceeds the following maximum number of children or young adults living in the home:
(a) A total of four children or young adults to one certified adult living in the home;
(b) A total of seven children or young adults to two certified adults living in the
home; or
(c) A total of two children under the age of three. (2) When making the determination of the maximum number of children or young adults
in the home as described in section (1) of this rule, the supervisor includes all children and young adults residing in the home, not only the children or young adults in the care or custody of the Department.
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(3) The Child Welfare program manager may approve placing additional children or young adults in the home in special circumstances.
(a) Special circumstances include, but are not limited to:
(A) Placing siblings together; or
(B) Placing a special needs child or young adult with a family that has
demonstrated extraordinary ability in meeting the safety, health, and well-being needs of a child or young adult.
(b) In these special circumstances, the certifier must assess:
(A) The skills, abilities, willingness, and training of the certified family
related to the quantity of services that are required for each child or young adult;
(B) The skills, abilities, safety, health, and well-being needs of each child or
young adult;
(C) The amount of Departmental supervision the certified family requires and the certified family's network of support to the child or young adult related to the needs of the child or young adult;
(D) The maximum safe physical capacity of the home, including sleeping
arrangements; and
(E) The plan for each individual to escape from the home in case of fire or other emergency.
(4) The certifier must document the assessment described in subsection (3)(b) of this rule
on a form approved by the Department and obtain Child Welfare program manager approval prior to permitting the home to exceed the maximum number of children or young adults specified in section (1) of this rule.
(5) When a Child Welfare program manager approves placing additional children or
young adults in a certified home, the certifier must:
(a) Visit the home every 90 days;
(b) Assess during each visit the certified family's compliance with certification standards; and
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(c) Document the certified family's compliance with certification standards after each visit.
413-200-0278 Responsibilities for Issuing a Certificate of Approval (1) The Department must complete the assessment activities described in OAR 413-200-
0274, and issue a Certificate of Approval or provide notice of intent to deny a Certificate of Approval within 180 days of receipt of an application to become a foster parent or relative caregiver, unless the application is withdrawn or the assessment period is extended by the District Manager or designee.
(2) The supervisor must --
(a) Review all assessment activities;
(b) Ensure all safety components of the certification standards are met; and
(c) Ensure any required exception or approval as provided in these rules (OAR 413-200-0270 to 413-200-0296) has been obtained prior to the Department issuing a Certificate of Approval.
(3) A supervisor may approve and the Department may issue the following Certificates
of Approval:
(a) An expedited Child-Specific Certificate of Approval for up to 180 days when all activities required in OAR 413-200-0274(2) have been completed;
(b) A two-year Child-Specific Certificate of Approval to provide relative caregiver
or foster care after all activities required in OAR 413-200-0274(3) have been completed.
(c) A Certificate of Approval for two years when all the activities required in OAR
413-200-0274(6) have been completed. (4) A Certificate of Approval must include the following information:
(a) The name of each primary adult, including married couples, individuals in a domestic partnership (as defined in ORS 106.310), and co-habitating individuals, approved as the certified family;
(b) The address to which the certificate applies;
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(c) The age range (birth to 20) and gender of the children or young adults for whom the certified family is approved to provide care;
(d) The maximum number of children or young adults who can be placed in the
home;
(e) The provider number that the Department has given the home;
(f) The effective and expiration dates of the certificate; and
(g) The signature of the Child Welfare program manager or designee. (5) The Department may at its discretion modify the Certificate of Approval to increase or
decrease the maximum number of children or young adults, the age range, or the gender of the children or young adults for whom the family is certified within the limits prescribed in OAR 413-200-0276.
413-200-0281 Respite Care Providers and Babysitters (1) The certifier must undertake all of the following activities when applicable:
(a) Discuss with the certified family the plan for providing care to a child or young adult, when the certified family will be unavailable to provide care.
(b) Assure completion of criminal records check through LEDS which includes
information compiled and maintained by OSP Bureau of Criminal Identification as outlined in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0460 on any individual the certified family has identified to as a prospective respite care provider.
(c) Assure completion of a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of
national crime information databases whenever:
(A) The criminal records check conducted under subsection (b) of this section indicates the prospective respite care provider has a criminal history; or
(B) The prospective respite care provider has lived in Oregon less than five
years.
(d) Conduct child abuse history background checks on any individual the certified family has identified as a prospective respite care provider.
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(e) Analyze information gathered under subsections (a) and (b) of this section prior to determining the individual is safe and appropriate to provide respite care and approving the individual to provide respite care.
(f) Document the analysis under subsection (e) of this section in the certification
record.
(g) Notify the certified family of the approval for the individual identified to provide respite care within one business day of the approval.
(h) Verify that any certified family identified to provide respite care for another
certified family has a current Certificate of Approval.
(i) When the analysis under subsection (e) of this section results in a determination that the individual is either not a safe or appropriate individual to provide respite care, notify the certified family that the individual is not authorized to provide respite care within one business day of the decision.
(2) The Department has the discretion to request a criminal records check of a babysitter. (3) When a certified family notifies the Department of their intent to provide respite care
for another child or young adult, the certifier must approve the request prior to the certified family providing respite care.
413-200-0283 Responsibilities to Monitor Certification Compliance (1) A certifier must conduct the following home visits:
(a) A minimum of one home visit every 90 days during the period an expedited Child-Specific Certificate of Approval is effective;
(b) A minimum of one home visit to any certified family every 180 days; and
(c) A minimum of one home visit every 90 days when a certified family has been
approved to exceed the maximum number of children or young adults as prescribed in OAR 413-200-0276(1), as long as the approval is applicable.
(2) To monitor a certified family's compliance with Child Welfare Policy II B.1,
"Certification Standards for Foster Parents, Relative Caregivers, and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396, a certifier must complete the following activities when applicable:
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(a) Assess the certified family's ability to maintain conditions in the home that provide safety, health, and well-being for the children and young adults whenever it becomes known that the certified family wishes to become an in-home child care, an adult foster care, or in-home adult day care provider, and, when appropriate, obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or designee on a form approved by the Department.
(b) Obtain approval from the Child Welfare program manager or designee on a
form approved by the Department prior to placement of the child or young adult whenever it becomes known that another agency wishes to place a child or young adult in a certified home.
(c) Assure completion of a criminal records check and child abuse history
background checks whenever it becomes known that another adult is living in the household or the certified family identifies another respite care provider.
(d) Seek input from the caseworkers of each child and young adult placed or living
in the home during the past 180 days and assess the conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being for the child or young adult;
(e) Assess the information that the certifier learns from the home visit, the certified
family, members of the household, and caseworkers to determine whether conditions appear to exist in the home that affect safety, health, and well-being for the child or young adult placed in the home by the Department;
(f) Review and assess the conditions that appear to exist in the home that affect
safety and well-being for the child or young adult when any special circumstances described in OAR 413-200-0276(3)(a) exist; and
(g) Document the contacts with the certified family and the assessment information obtained under this rule in the certification record.
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413-200-0285 Responsibilities When Developing a Placement Support Plan (1) When a certifier determines that a certified family needs additional support to
maintain conditions that provide safety, health, and well-being in the home, the certifier must develop a placement support plan. A placement support plan is appropriate when one or both of the following circumstances apply:
(a) The certified family needs additional training or instruction to improve the care
giving practices to meet the needs of the children or young adults placed in the certified family's home.
(b) The certified family is not in compliance with one or more of the Department's
certification standards, and the non-compliance does not result in a safety threat to a child.
(2) When a placement support plan is appropriate to support a certified family, the
certifier must gather information regarding current circumstances from --
(a) The certified family;
(b) The children or young adults placed in the certified family's home, when appropriate;
(c) The caseworkers of the children or young adults currently placed in the home;
and
(d) Other collateral contacts that may have information regarding the characteristics of the care provided in the certified family's home.
(3) The certifier must schedule a meeting with the certified family
to discuss the current circumstances that require a placement support plan and the appropriate supports and services to assist the certified family.
(4) The certifier must prepare a written placement support plan that specifies:
(a) The actions or services in which the certified family will participate;
(b) The actions or services the Department will provide to support the certified family in maintaining conditions that provide safety, health, and well-being for the children or young adults placed in the home by the Department;
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(c) Agreement that the certified family is willing and able to participate in the actions or services;
(d) Agreement to review the placement support plan on a specified date, which is
within at least 90 days; and
(e) The anticipated end date of the placement support plan. (5) A supervisor must approve the placement support plan. (6) When the placement support plan has been approved, the certifier must:
(a) Provide a copy to the certified family;
(b) File a copy in the certification file;
(c) Document the placement support plan in the Department information system; and
(d) Provide written notification to the caseworkers of each child or young adult
placed in the home of the placement support plan. (7) The certifier must contact the certified family prior to the anticipated end date of the
placement support plan to assure that all activities and services have been completed, or the certified family can meet the needs of the children or young adults placed in the home by the Department and is in compliance with Department certification standards.
(8) The certifier must document the end of a placement support plan in the certification
file, in provider case notes, and notify the caseworkers of each child or young adult placed in the certified family's home.
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413-200-0287 Responsibilities Regarding Two-Year Renewal of the Certificate of Approval (1) A certified family must be assessed every two years. The Department must complete
the assessment and provide written notice of the decision to renew a certificate approval or intent to deny the renewal of the certified family's Certificate of Approval. To renew a Certificate of Approval, the certifier must complete all of the following:
(a) Conduct a minimum of one home visit, have face-to-face contact with each
member of the household, and complete the questionnaires and interviews necessary to complete a home study update.
(b) Review the completed Certified Family Certificate Renewal or Change of
Status Application.
(c) Confirm completion of required hours of training, and develop a training plan for the new certification period.
(d) Contact the caseworkers who have had children or young adults placed with the
certified family during the past 180 days. (e) Assure completion of criminal records checks on each adult member of the
household; and, at the Department's discretion, any child, when there is reason to believe the child may pose a risk to children placed in the home, as described in Child Welfare Policy I-G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470. A fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases is not required for an application for renewal of a Certificate of Approval, unless an applicant or member of the household has lived outside of Oregon for more than 60 consecutive days within the two-year certification period or has been arrested or convicted during the two-year certification period.
(A) Assess any safety concerns regarding the fitness of the applicant or
member of the household pursuant to OAR 413-120-0450 and 413-120-0455; and
(B) If appropriate, request an exception pursuant to OAR 413-120-0450(7) to
complete certification of the applicant despite the new criminal offender history of an applicant or member of the household.
(f) Assure completion of child abuse history background checks for each adult member of the household.
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(A) When the applicant or an adult member of the household has lived outside the state of Oregon in the previous five years, and an out-of-state child abuse history background check has not been completed, a child abuse history background check must be requested from each state or country where the individual resided in the five years preceding the applicant's dated application for renewal of a Certificate of Approval from the Department.
(B) Assess any safety concerns regarding the applicant or adult member of
the applicant's household raised by information learned from the child abuse history background check.
(C) When appropriate, obtain approval from the District Manager or
designee, on a form approved by the Department, to proceed with an application when a member of the household has been identified as the perpetrator or possible perpetrator of abuse or neglect in a Child Protective Services Assessment Founded Disposition, Unable to Determine Disposition, or a similar disposition from another state.
(g) Review and assess whether conditions appear to exist in the home that
jeopardize the safety, health, or well-being of the child or young adult.
(h) Review and analyze the certified family's skills and abilities in maintaining conditions in the home that provide safety, health, and well-being for the child or young adult, maintaining relationships with the community and the Department, and supporting the case plan of the child or young adult.
(i) Update the home study on a form approved by the Department, including
results of the assessment activities completed in subsections (a) to (h) of this section, and submit to the supervisor for approval.
(2) The supervisor reviews the updated home study and may approve or deny the home
study. If the supervisor approves the home study, the Department will issue a new two-year Certificate of Approval. If the supervisor does not approve the home study, the Department will proceed as outlined in OAR 413-200-0296.
(3) Pursuant to ORS 183.430, if the certified family has submitted a timely Renewal
Application and the Department does not complete the activities in sections (1) and (2) of this rule before the stated expiration date on the certified family's Certificate of Approval, the certified family's Certificate of Approval may not be deemed to expire until the Department has issued a new Certificate of Approval or there is a final order denying renewal.
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413-200-0289 Responsibilities Regarding Voluntary Termination of an Application or an Existing Certificate of Approval (1) When an applicant requests to withdraw his or her application for a Certificate of
Approval, the certifier must document his or her communication regarding the applicant's request.
(2) When a certified family requests that the Department terminate the Certificate of
Approval or does not wish to renew a Certificate of Approval, the certifier must document his or her communication regarding the certified family's request.
(3) The Department terminates a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval within 10
business days of the departure of the child or young adult, unless at least one of the following subsections applies:
(a) The child-specific certified family submits a written request to continue their
Certificate of Approval as a foster parent under section (4) of this rule within 10 business days of the departure of the child or young adult from the home;
(b) The Department has determined the child or young adult is removed because
the certified family cannot meet the safety, health, and well-being needs of the child or young adult and has violated one or more rules under Child Welfare Policy II B.1, "Certification Standards for Foster Parents, Relative Caregivers, and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396; or
(c) OAR 413-200-0395(6) applies.
(4) When the Department has determined that subsection (3)(b) of this rule applies, the
Department will notify the certified family of the decision and issue a notice of intent to revoke the Certificate of Approval pursuant to OAR 413-200-0395(2).
(5) When a child-specific certified family requests to become certified as a foster parent, the certifier must:
(a) Provide the family with a "Certified Family Certificate Renewal or Change of
Status Application"; and
(b) Assess the family's ability to meet the safety, health, and well-being needs of a non-related child or young adult placed in the home pursuant to the requirements of OAR 413-200-0274.
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(6) After the certifier has completed the assessment pursuant to subsection (5)(b) of this rule, a supervisor will approve the assessment and send a Certificate of Approval to the family, or send a notice of intent to deny the application, unless the family has withdrawn their request pursuant to OAR 413-200-0296.
413-200-0292 Responsibilities Regarding Recertification of a Previously Certified Home (1) When a certified family has been closed less than six months, the previous Certificate
of Approval would not have expired during the months the home was closed (if the Certificate of Approval was not revoked), the certified family continues to live in the same residence, and the certified family requests that the Department reopen the Certificate of Approval, the certifier must undertake the following actions:
(a) Provide the family with a Certified Family Certificate Renewal or Change of
Status Application.
(b) Assure completion of criminal records checks on each adult member of the household; and, at the Department's discretion, when there is reason to believe a child, not in the care or custody of the Department and living in the home, may pose a risk to a child or young adult placed in the home, initiate a fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases as described in Child Welfare Policy I G.1.4, "Criminal History", OAR 413-120-0400 to 413-120-0470. A fingerprint-based criminal offender records check of national crime information databases is required when an applicant or member of the household has lived outside of Oregon for more than 60 consecutive days or has been arrested or convicted during the two-year certification period.
(A) Assess any safety concerns regarding the fitness of the applicant, child,
or member of the household pursuant to OAR 413-120-0450 and 413-120-0455; and
(B) If appropriate, request an exception pursuant to per OAR 413-120-
0450(7) to complete recertification of the previously certified family despite the new criminal offender information history of an applicant, child, or member of the household.
(c) Assure completion of child abuse history background checks for each adult
member of the household.
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(A) When the applicant or an adult member of the household has lived outside the state of Oregon, a child abuse history background check must be requested from each state or country where the individual resided.
(B) Assess any safety concerns regarding the applicant or adult member of
the applicant's household raised by information learned from the child abuse history background check.
(C) When appropriate, obtain approval from the District Manager or
designee, on a form approved by the Department, to proceed with an application when a member of the household has been identified as the perpetrator or possible perpetrator of abuse or neglect in a Child Protective Services Assessment Founded Disposition, Unable to Determine Disposition, or a similar disposition from another state.
(d) Conduct a home visit to identify and assess any changes in the environment
or family:
(A) Observe and assess the safety of the physical environment; (B) Walk through every room in the home and each surrounding building;
and
(C) Complete a Safety Assessment of the home.
(e) Document in the certification file the circumstances under which the Department reopened the Certificate of Approval.
(2) When a certified family has been closed for six months or more or the previous
Certificate of Approval would have expired during the months the home was closed, and the previously certified family contacts the Department to become certified again, the certifier must:
(a) Provide to the certified family for completion the necessary documents for an
initial application for a Certificate of Approval to provide care;
(b) Complete the assessment process as described in OAR 413-200-0274;
(c) Update the family's home study and document any changes in the family's circumstances since the most recent closure of the Certificate of Approval; and
(d) Submit the updated home study to the supervisor for approval.
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(3) The supervisor reviews the updated home study and may approve or deny the updated home study. If the supervisor approves the updated home study, the Department will issue a new two-year Certificate of Approval. If the supervisor does not approve the home study, the Department will proceed as outlined in OAR 413-200-0296.
(4) A family previously certified by the Department must complete Foundations
training if the family has not been certified within the last two years unless the supervisor either:
(a) Approves an individualized training plan for a certified family who has been
issued a Child-Specific Certificate of Approval; or
(b) Waives the training requirement based on the family's documented knowledge and skills in caring for a child or young adult placed in the home by the Department.
(5) When the certified family moves to another residence in the State of Oregon, the
Department terminates the Certificate of Approval automatically. The Department may issue a new Certificate of Approval for the new residence after the activities described in this section have been completed. Within 10 business days, the certifier must complete the following actions:
(a) Provide the certified family a Certified Family Certificate Renewal or Change
of Status Application. (b) Review the completed Certified Family Certificate Renewal or Change of
Status Application.
(c) Conduct a home visit.
(A) Observe and assess the safety of the physical environment;
(B) Walk through every room in the home and each surrounding building; and
(C) Complete a Safety Assessment of the home.
(d) Document in the certification file the circumstances of the family's relocation.
(6) When a certified family has been initially certified by the local Child Welfare office in
the county in which the family resides and the family moves to another county, all of the following actions are required:
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(a) The issuing Child Welfare office's certification supervisor must notify the certification supervisor in a Child Welfare office in the county to which the certified family is moving;
(b) The certification file and ongoing Department responsibilities are transferred to
a Child Welfare office in the county to which the certified family is moving, unless the Child Welfare program manager or designee in the county to which the certified family is moving has approved that Department certification responsibilities remain in the Child Welfare office in the county from which the certified family is moving.
(c) Complete the actions described in section (5) of this rule.
(7) When a certified family wishes to move outside the State of Oregon with a child or
young adult, refer to Child Welfare Policy I-B.3.4.2, "Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children", OAR 413-040-0200 to 413-040-0330.
413-200-0294 Responsibilities Regarding Inactive Referral Status (1) The certified family or the Department may initiate an Inactive Referral Status. When
a certified family is on Inactive Referral Status, no additional child or young adult may be placed in the home.
(2) A certified family may ask the Department to place their home on Inactive Referral
Status for any reason for up to 12 months. The Inactive Referral Status begins immediately upon the request of the family.
(3) When either a certified family or the Department indicate an Inactive Referral Status,
the certifier must immediately notify Department staff responsible for placement that the certified family is unavailable for placement of a child or young adult.
(4) Within 30 days of a certified family requesting Inactive Referral Status, the certifier
must send a letter to the certified family that documents the inactive status, the reasons for the status, and the requested length of the Inactive Referral Status.
(5) The Department may place a certified family on Inactive Referral Status for one or
more of the following reasons:
(a) The special needs of a child or young adult, who is currently in the home, require so much of the certified family's care and attention that no agency should place an additional child or young adult in the home.
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(b) The family or members of the household are experiencing significant family or life stress.
(c) The certified family does not currently meet one or more of the certification
standards. (6) The Department must place a certified family on Inactive Referral Status when
the Department is assessing an allegation of child abuse or neglect in the home. (7) Within 14 days of the Department's initiating Inactive Referral Status, the certifier
must send a letter to the certified family that documents the beginning date of Inactive Referral Status, the reason for the Inactive Referral Status, and any specific certification standards that have been violated, if any.
(a) The certifier and the certified family may collaborate to develop a placement
support plan to address the concerns precipitating the Inactive Referral Status; and
(b) The certification supervisor reviews and approves the placement support plan.
(8) The Department may revoke a Certificate of Approval if a certified family is unable
to remedy a violation of a certification rule within the time frame of the Inactive Referral Status.
(9) When the certified family initiates Inactive Referral Status, the inactive status ends at
the request of the certified family. (10) When the Department initiates Inactive Referral Status, the Department determines,
within the time frame of the Inactive Referral Status, when the conditions that warranted the Inactive Referral Status have been resolved.
(11) When the Inactive Referral Status ends, the certifier must:
(a) Document removal of the Inactive Referral Status in the certification file;
(b) Send written notification to the family within 30 days; and
(c) Notify Department staff responsible for placement that the certified family is available for placement of a child or young adult.
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413-200-0296 Responsibilities Regarding Denial or Revocation of a Certificate of Approval (1) The Department may deny an application for a Certificate of Approval or revoke a
Certificate of Approval when the applicant or certified family does not meet one or more of the certification rules in Child Welfare Policy II-B.1, "Standards for Certification of Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers and Approval of Potential Adoptive Resources", OAR 413-200-0301 to 413-200-0396.
(2) The Department must provide the applicant a written notice of the intent to deny a
Certificate of Approval, which must state the reason or reasons for the denial and comply with OAR 413-010-0510.
(3) The Department must revoke a Certificate of Approval when, at the conclusion of a
CPS assessment, the Department determines there is a safety threat in the certified family's home, unless the certified family voluntarily requests that the Department terminate the Certificate of Approval and provides written documentation of the request to terminate the Certificate of Approval.
(4) The Department may deny an application or revoke a Certificate of Approval if the
Department discovers an applicant or certified family has falsified information (by act of commission or omission) before or after the Certificate of Approval has been issued or if a certified family fails to provide information or inform the Department of any disqualifying condition that arises after the Certificate of Approval has been issued.
(5) The Department must provide an applicant or certified family a written notice of
intent to deny or revoke a Certificate of Approval, which must state the reason or reasons for the revocation and comply with OAR 413-010-0510.
(6) When the Department has issued a notice to revoke a Certificate of Approval before
the stated expiration date on the Certificate of Approval, the Certificate of Approval will not be deemed to expire until there is a final order on the notice to revoke the Certificate of Approval.
(7) The Department must remove from the home all the children and young adults in the
care or custody of the Department upon making the decision to revoke the certified family's Certificate of Approval.
(8) When the Department has revoked a family's Certificate of Approval or denied an
application for a Certificate of Approval, the Department may require a waiting period of up to five years from the date of revocation of the family's Certificate of Approval before the Department accepts a new application from the family.
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Index
1
10 business days ∙ 31, 56, 59 10‐days ∙ 31 12 months ∙ 7, 27, 30, 38, 42, 46, 60 180 days ∙ 29, 41, 43, 48, 50, 51, 54
2
21 years ∙ 9 24 hours ∙ 15, 26, 40
3
30 days ∙ 17, 27, 33, 42, 43, 60, 61 30 hours ∙ 27, 28
6
60 consecutive days ∙ 54, 57
9
90 days ∙ 11, 27, 32, 41, 42, 47, 50, 53
A
adult foster care ∙ 17, 29, 41, 45, 51 Alarms ∙ 16 alcohol ∙ 9, 10 Animals ∙ 14 another agency ∙ 17, 29, 30, 51 application ∙ 11, 13, 27, 30, 32, 39, 42,
43, 44, 46, 48, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 62 apply ∙ 4, 5, 10, 12, 36, 52 arrest ∙ 28 arrests ∙ 12 attends ∙ 18 authorization ∙ 14, 16, 23, 45
B
babysitter ∙ 25, 50 barred windows ∙ 15 bedroom ∙ 15, 16 bed‐wetting ∙ 20 belongings ∙ 18 birth family ∙ 10 burden of proving ∙ 9
C
carbon monoxide ∙ 5, 15 case plan ∙ 18, 22, 55 certifier must ∙ 27, 38, 39, 41, 43, 47, 49,
50, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 chemicals ∙ 14 child abuse ∙ 13, 25, 28, 40, 42, 44, 49,
51, 54, 55, 57, 58, 61 childhood activities ∙ 25 childrearing ∙ 10 citizen ∙ 11 clothing ∙ 18 collateral contacts ∙ 52 combustibles ∙ 14 comply ∙ 10, 11, 13, 14, 18, 22, 23, 24,
32, 62 contested case ∙ 33 conviction ∙ 28 convictions ∙ 12 Cooperate ∙ 10 corridors ∙ 16 country ∙ 42, 44, 55, 58 county ∙ 41, 45, 59, 60 criminal activity ∙ 9, 10 criminal offender ∙ 6, 12, 37, 39, 40, 44,
49, 54, 57 cultural identities ∙ 10
D
day care ∙ 12, 17, 25, 29, 41, 45, 51 debris ∙ 14 delay ∙ 39 denial ∙ 33 denials ∙ 12 dental ∙ 18, 22 derogatory ∙ 20 determination ∙ 46, 50 disabilities ∙ 10 disability ∙ 19 discipline ∙ 10, 20, 21 disclose ∙ 26 Disclosure of Information ∙ 12 District Manager ∙ 40, 43, 45, 48, 55, 58 Document ∙ 42, 46, 48, 50, 51, 53, 58, 59,
61 documentation ∙ 22, 23, 27, 46, 62 domestic partnership ∙ 12 dosage ∙ 23 driver license ∙ 16, 28, 40, 45 drugs ∙ 9, 10
E
educational progress ∙ 18, 19 educational surrogate ∙ 19
educational testing ∙ 19 electronic monitoring ∙ 13 emergency ∙ 15, 17, 22, 25, 47 English proficiency ∙ 28 Enroll ∙ 18 equivalent training ∙ 27, 46 ethnicity ∙ 20 evacuation plan ∙ 16 examinations ∙ 22 exceed ∙ 7, 17, 26, 38, 41, 45, 47, 50 exercise ∙ 9, 10, 20, 26 expedited ∙ 29, 38, 42, 43, 48, 50 expert evaluation ∙ 9
F
family dynamics ∙ 9 field trips ∙ 19 financial resources ∙ 9 fingerprint ∙ 6, 12, 37, 39, 40, 42, 44, 49,
54, 57 Fire ∙ 15 fire extinguisher ∙ 15 fireplaces ∙ 15 first aid ∙ 15 fitness ∙ 39, 44, 54, 57 food ∙ 14, 20 Foundations training ∙ 27, 42, 46, 59 Founded ∙ 40, 45, 55, 58 furnishings ∙ 14
G
garbage ∙ 14 gender ∙ 10, 13, 40, 45, 49 gender identity ∙ 10 graduation ∙ 19 grounds ∙ 14
H
hallways ∙ 16 hazards ∙ 14 heating system ∙ 14 heating systems ∙ 15 hot tubs ∙ 14 hunting ∙ 14 hygiene ∙ 10, 15
I
immigration ∙ 11 Immunization ∙ 22 inaccessible ∙ 14, 23 Include the child ∙ 18 individualized ∙ 23, 27, 28, 42, 59
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insurance ∙ 16, 40, 45 intellectual ∙ 18 intent to deny ∙ 48, 54, 57, 62 intent to revoke ∙ 31, 56 international ∙ 17 intimidation ∙ 20 isolation ∙ 21
J
jeopardize ∙ 55
L
laboratory ∙ 22 language ∙ 20 learning difficulties ∙ 19 licensed ∙ 5, 16, 25, 27, 36, 41, 45, 46 locked storage ∙ 15, 23 Locking ∙ 21
M
machinery ∙ 14 married ∙ 6, 12, 37, 48 mature behavior ∙ 9, 10 maximum ∙ 17, 26, 40, 41, 45, 46, 47, 49,
50 medication ∙ 23, 28 medications ∙ 15, 23 mental health ∙ 18, 22, 28 military ∙ 12 minimum ∙ 17, 43, 50, 54 misbehavior ∙ 20 modify ∙ 49 motivation ∙ 39, 43 moves ∙ 31, 59
N
natural disaster ∙ 11 naturalization ∙ 11 neglect ∙ 13, 25, 28, 29, 40, 42, 45, 55,
58, 61
O
operable ∙ 15, 16 Orientation ∙ 27, 42, 46
P
pain ∙ 20 paperwork ∙ 11 partnership ∙ 10, 48 personal habits ∙ 9, 10 personal life ∙ 9 personal qualifications ∙ 10, 39, 43 pet ∙ 14 physical ∙ 9, 28 physical capacity ∙ 47 physical environment ∙ 39, 43, 58, 59 physical force ∙ 20 physical health ∙ 28 physical restraint ∙ 21 physical traits ∙ 20 placement support plan ∙ 52, 53, 61 ponds ∙ 14 prescription ∙ 23 primary adult ∙ 48 primary residence ∙ 11, 13 privacy ∙ 26 program manager ∙ 9, 12, 17, 33, 40, 41,
45, 47, 49, 51, 60 psychotropic ∙ 15, 23 punishment ∙ 20, 21
Q
questionnaires ∙ 41, 43, 54
R
rape ∙ 42 Recreational ∙ 18 references ∙ 11, 40, 41, 45 removal ∙ 20, 61 report cards ∙ 19 rescue ∙ 15, 16 respite care ∙ 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 49, 50,
51 restraining devices ∙ 20 revocations ∙ 12
S
safety assessment ∙ 11 safety seat ∙ 16 Sanitation ∙ 14 school ∙ 18, 19, 23 second‐hand ∙ 15 self‐control ∙ 10 self‐esteem ∙ 10 sexual abuse ∙ 42 sexual orientation ∙ 10, 20
share ∙ 13, 19, 23 shower ∙ 21 siblings ∙ 18, 47 sleeping ∙ 13, 47 smoke alarm ∙ 15 Smoking ∙ 15 sound judgment ∙ 9, 10 Space heaters ∙ 14 special circumstances ∙ 17, 46, 47, 51 special needs ∙ 13, 14, 24, 47, 60 spiritual beliefs ∙ 10 sporting equipment ∙ 14 sporting events ∙ 19 stable ∙ 9, 10 supportive relationships ∙ 9 suspensions ∙ 12 Swimming pools ∙ 14
T
target practice ∙ 14 telephone ∙ 13, 20, 25 terminate ∙ 31, 32, 56, 62 terminations ∙ 12 time‐out ∙ 21 tobacco ∙ 15 tools ∙ 14 transportation ∙ 16 transporting ∙ 16
U
Unable to Determine ∙ 40, 45, 55, 58 unrelated ∙ 7, 13, 38 unscheduled ∙ 29 Update ∙ 55, 58
V
vaccination ∙ 22 vehicle ∙ 15, 16 visits ∙ 20, 28, 29, 41, 43, 50 visual impairment ∙ 28 vulnerable ∙ 12
W
wading pools ∙ 14 waives ∙ 27 water ∙ 14, 15 withdraw ∙ 13, 56 wood stoves ∙ 15 written notice ∙ 32, 46, 54, 62
This document can be provided upon request in alternative formats for individuals with disabilities or in a language other than English for people with limited English skills. To request this form in another format or language, contact the Department of Human Services, Child Welfare Program at 503-945-6653 or 503-945-5896 TTY.
DHS 9303 (01/2012)
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